The officer complied ____ the instructions given by the authority.
2026
The officer complied ____ the instructions given by the authority.
Answer: B. with — ConceptSome English verbs select a fixed preposition. This conventional verb–preposition pairing is called a collocation and must be used as a unit. The verb…
- A.
to
- B.
with
- C.
for
- D.
on
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
Some English verbs select a fixed preposition. This conventional verb–preposition pairing is called a collocation and must be used as a unit.
The verb comply is followed by with before a rule, request, order, or instruction: comply with something.
Application
Here, the noun phrase ‘the instructions given by the authority’ is what the officer followed. The fixed collocation therefore completes the sentence as ‘The officer complied with the instructions given by the authority.’
Contrast
As a preposition, to can mark direction or a recipient; before a base verb, to instead functions as an infinitival marker. Neither pattern forms the standard collocation with comply.
For commonly marks purpose, benefit, or duration; it does not form the standard collocation with comply.
On commonly marks a surface, topic, or dependence; it does not form the standard collocation with comply.
Result
Thus, the required preposition is with.